Blithfield Barrel 2014-15 - Round 1

Very light winds for Blithfield Barrel Round 1 © Chris Martin

The first races of the Blithfield Barrel took place on Sunday, with a now customary large fleet of 69 boats making their way through the thick fog at the end of the journey. A promising forecast seemed to have missed us completely as we arrived to find number one mark (60 yards offshore) almost invisible. The fog lifted by about 11 but the wind was yet to play ball, a zephyr from the north east tempted a few boats to launch and a a few more gustlets tempted the race team off the pontoon but this was more in hope than expectation of racing being possible and with the wisps of wind we were getting some 90 degrees away from what was forecast PRO Bill Watson wisely sent the fleet home for lunch.

Midway through lunch the breeze filled in from the south west as if somebody had flicked a switch. Time was now our enemy and the fleet set off as promptly as possible finding a reasonably steady force two with the odd gust - exactly as forecast just rather late! The start under black flag needed a general recall and a few casualties to restore order and the fleet got away at the second time of asking. The port end of the line was favoured, but the right hand side of the course seemed to have more wind. Ultimately those who took the extreme of either came through in the chocolates, Steve and Gill Leney leading around in their Merlin Rocket. Places switched quite substantially where the fleet was tight but elsewhere large gaps developed that were very difficult to close up.

The race was won by Chris Gould and Nick Broomhall in the Osprey with Tim Fells and Oli Wells' Merlin (All the way from Sacombe!) in second and Steve and Gill Leney in third.

With the sun dropping and the wind expected to follow the race team decided one good race was enough and called it a day - this shortly after proved a very wise decision as the lake resembled a millpond by the time the boats were packed up.

Thanks to all the visitors, Bill Watson and his race team, Steve & Jayne Tatton and the galley team and everyone else who helped us run the event.

The next Barrel is the 14th December - we have ordered the wind, and look forward to seeing everyone there!